Santa Baby

1953

Eartha Kitt

'53 was a good year for Christmas Novelty songs...two of 'em were released and both were huge hits. Santa Baby, performed by Eartha Kitts, was '53's second hit Christmas novelty tune...

Santa Baby's a humorous look at Christmas through the eyes of a very materialistic young lay who wants S.C. To bring her some very extravagant gifts. It was penned by Joan Javits, who was the niece of then-U.S. Senator Jacob Javits, and Phil Springer, and recorded by Eartha Kitt. an extremely talented singer and actress who was gifted with a very unique voice. She had several hits under her belt in July 1953 when she recorded what would become her best known hit, accompanied by Henri Rene and his orchestra,

'Santa Baby' was released in early October of the same year and became a huge hit for her, In an interview only a year or so before her death in 2008, she noted that 'Santa Baby  was also the song she had the most fun recording

So Enjoy! Eartha Kitt's Exotic Christmas list, sung to Saint Nick himself.

'Santa Baby's ' been covered extensively, possibly most famously by The Material Girl herself, Madonna. Madonna's cover was actually a cover of a more up-tempo reprisal of the song that Eartha Kitt recorded in 1963. Madge's awesome cover of the song became the version of choice on Christmas playlists and is the one you're most likely to hear today on the radio. Here's the music video she made for it. As with everything else Madge ever did, she went all out on it...needless to say, she nailed it!

Taylor Swift added a bit of Country and a lot of charm to 'Santa Baby when she covered it back in 2007. Tay's cover absolutely rocks...it's sweet and classy, just like Taylor herself.

'07 also saw Kylie Monogue's cover of Santa Baby, and a video for it. She nailed it too...ahhh, warning. The video is just a little....hmmm, what's a good word?? Steamy! Yeah! That's the ticket!

And finally, sixty Christmases after Eartha Kitt released the original, former Thirteen and Victorious cast mates, and long-time best friends Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies teamed up as a duo to cover this novelty classic. These two very lovely and uber-talented young ladies  nailed it.

Interesting little factoid...Eartha Kitt was also an actress, and was active right up to her death in 2008..Among her many roles was replacing Julie Newmar as Catwoman on th uber-popular '60s series Batman.